EDU-20024 - Education Matters: Contemporary Issues and Debates in Education
Coordinator: Peter Jones Tel: +44 1782 7 34869
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module provides a detailed and critical overview of significant processes of educational change, and the thinking (political, ideological, and economic) behind them. All the issues covered in this module are of contemporary relevance and highlight the fundamental re-positioning of educational systems, structures and processes in society and economy. This module explores broad, ideological shifts in education over the past four decades, as well as examining how these translate into specific policy initiatives. It examines how the meaning, purposes and goals of education have changed over time and continue to do so. It also engages with the way in which educational values, ideologies and policies impact upon educational institutions and processes, and their effects on the experiences of those most closely involved, namely pupils, students, educators and managers.
Lectures include topics such as: Why Does Education Matter?; Education and the Economy; Education and Social Justice; Moral development and citizenship; and Raising the game: enhancing school effectiveness.

Aims
Education matters will introduce students to a range of contemporary philosophical issues and debates in education, and will examine the changing role of education in society and the economy.
The module encompasses five broad aims:
1) To introduce students to a range of key issues and debates surrounding education;
2) To explore ideological changes in education over time and their impacts on changing the overall aims, goals and purposes of education;
3) To examine the key policy changes and developments in education and how these are reflected in various government initiatives;
4) To examine the inter-relationship between educational institutions and other social institutions, namely the state and labour market;
5) To consider the impacts key educational changes have for educational organisations and the professionals and managers working in them.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/edu-20024/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify and discuss key debates and controversies in education: 1
identify and discuss underlying principles and aims behind the contemporary educational policy and practice: 1
draw upon, a variety of theoretical resources on contemporary education practice and policy: 1
reflect upon the implications of contemporary educational issues for future professional role: 1
locate educational changes within wider cultural, social and economic contexts: 1

Study hours

24 contact hours (12 hour lectures; 12 seminars)
50 hours lecture and seminar preparation
76 hours preparation for essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 100%
Critical Essay (2,000 words)
Explore one set of key issues and debates in education and how they reflect the changing goals and outcomes of education.